A clip (8) comprises a bush (20) and a pin (10) adapted to be inserted into the bush, wherein the bush has a leg portion to be expanded in diameter so as to fasten a plurality of members together when the pin is pushed into the bush. The pin includes a flange (11), a shank (12) extending downward from the lower surface of the flange, an engagement pawl (13) connected to the shank, and a coupling pawl (14) disposed below the engagement pawl. The bush includes a ring portion (21) and a leg portion composed of a plurality of legs (23) divided by slits (25) to extend vertically downward from the lower surface of the ring portion. The pin and the bush are connected with one another through a notched thin-walled portion (29) formed between the lower end of the pin and the ring portion of the bush. The pin and the bush are assembled together in a positional relationship where the ring portion of the bush is held between the engagement and coupling pawls of the pin.
|
1. A method of manufacturing a clip, said clip having a female member and a male member, said female member having a ring portion and a plurality of legs, said plurality of legs being operable to be expanded in diameter to fasten a first component to a second component when said male member is pushed into said female member, said male member having a shank extending downwardly from a flange, an engagement pawl extending from said shank, and a coupling pawl extending from said shank from a position below said engagement pawl, said method comprising:
closing a molding die set having a first mold section, a second mold section, a third mold section, a core member, and an ejector together defining a mold cavity;
injecting a molten resin into said mold cavity to form said male and female members and a frangible portion therebetween;
separating said first mold section from said second mold section; and
extending said ejector to drive said clip upward such that said frangible portion is severed and said flange of said male member contacts said first mold section and drives said female member relative to said male member until the engagement pawl engages a top portion of said ring portion and said coupling pawl engages an underside surface of said ring portion.
4. A method of manufacturing a clip, said method comprising:
closing a molding die set having a first mold section, a second mold section, a third mold section, a core member, and an ejector together defining a mold cavity;
injecting a molten resin into said mold cavity to form said clip, said clip having a female member, a male member and a thin-walled portion therebetween, said thin-walled portion configured to hold the male member in relation to the female member upon separation of the first mold section from the second mold section, said female member having a ring portion and a plurality of legs, said plurality of legs being operable to be expanded in diameter to fasten a first component to a second component when said male member is pushed into said female member, said male member having a shank extending downwardly from a flange, an engagement pawl extending from said shank, and a coupling pawl extending from said shank from a position below said engagement pawl;
separating said first mold section from said second mold section, exposing said male portion; and
protruding said ejector to drive said clip upward such that said flange of said male member contacts said first mold section and said first mold drives said male member relative to said female member to break the thin-walled portion.
3. A method of manufacturing a clip, said clip having a bush and a pin, said bush having a ring portion and a plurality of legs, said plurality of legs being operable to be expanded in diameter to fasten a first component to a second component when said pin is pushed into said bush, said pin having a shank extending downwardly from a flange, an engagement pawl extending from said shank, and a coupling pawl extending from said shank from a position below said engagement pawl, said method comprising:
closing a molding die set having a first mold section, a second mold section, a third mold section, a core pin, and an ejector together defining a mold cavity;
injecting a molten resin into said mold cavity to form said bush and pin and a frangible portion therebetween;
separating said first mold section from said second mold section;
removing said second mold section;
extending said core pin and said ejector to separate said clip from said third mold section;
retracting said core pin from said clip;
extending said ejector to drive said clip upward such that said flange of said pin contacts said first mold section; and
further extending said ejector to sever said frangible portion and drive said bush relative to said pin until the engagement pawl engages a top portion of said ring portion and said coupling pawl engages an underside surface of said ring portion.
7. A method of manufacturing a clip, comprising:
closing a molding die set having a first mold section, a second mold section, a third mold section, a core pin, and an ejector together defining a mold cavity;
injecting a molten resin into said mold cavity to form said clip, said clip having a bush and a pin coupled by a thin-walled portion, said bush having a ring portion and a plurality of legs, said plurality of legs being operable to be expanded in diameter to fasten a first component to a second component when said pin is pushed into said bush, said pin having a shank extending downwardly from a flange, an engagement pawl extending from said shank, and a coupling pawl extending from said shank from a position below said engagement pawl;
separating said first mold section from said second mold section;
removing said second mold section;
extending said core pin and said ejector to separate said clip from said third mold section;
retracting said core pin from said clip;
extending said ejector after retracting said core pin to drive said clip upward such that said flange of said pin contacts said first mold section to fracture the thin-walled portion; and
further extending said ejector to drive said bush relative to said pin until the engagement pawl engages a top portion of said ring portion and said coupling pawl engages an underside surface of said ring portion.
2. The method according to
extending said core member to disengage said clip from said ejector.
5. The method according to
6. The method according to
extending said core member to disengage said clip from said ejector and position the male portion within the female portion.
8. The method according to
|
The present application is a continuation of pending International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/05465 filed on Feb. 21, 2003 which designates the United States, and which claims priority of Japanese Application No. 2002-045841 filed on Feb. 22, 2002. The disclosure of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a fastening clip used for fastening a component such as ornamental parts for automobiles, industrial machines or the like, to a plate member such as body panels for automobiles. In particular, the present invention relates to a clip comprising a pin and a bush, wherein the bush has a leg portion to be expanded in diameter so as to fasten a plurality of members together when the pin is pushed into the bush.
Heretofore, a two-piece synthetic resin clip having a clip body and a pin has been used to fasten a component such as ornamental parts, to a panel such as body panels for automobiles.
The conventional two-piece clip comprises a bush having a flange and a leg extending from the lower surface of the flange, and a pin having a head and a shank extending from the lower surface of the head. In a fastening operation of this clip, a pair of plate members each formed with a mounting through-hole are first superimposed while keeping the through holes in communication with one another. Then, the leg of the bush is inserted into the mounting holes of the plate members, and the shank of the pin is pressed into the leg, so that the plate members are clamped and fastened by the bush or between the lower surface of the flange and the front end of the leg having an expanded diameter.
However, in the conventional two-piece clip, the pin and the bush are individually formed as separate parts, and then assembled together. Thus, two molding-die sets are required to form the two parts separately. While two parts can be simultaneously formed by use of a single of specific molding-die set (so-called two-part cavity die), the number of parts to be formed in each of the two-part cavity dies is inevitably reduced as compared to the method of forming two parts separately by use of two molding-die sets. In addition, it is required to sort between the pin and the bush and assemble them together in a subsequent process.
In either case of forming the pin and the bush by use of the separate molding-die sets or the single two-part cavity die, after forming the pin and the bush as separate parts, they must be assembled together.
In view of the above problems, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clip comprising a pin and a bush which are capable of being integrally molded in a single molding-die set.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a clip comprising a pin and a bush which are capable of being assembled together in a single molding-die set to eliminate the need for assembling them together in a subsequent process.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrally molded clip for fastening a plurality of plate members. The clip comprises a bush and a pin adapted to be inserted into the bush, wherein the bush has a leg portion to be expanded in diameter so as to fasten the members together when the pin is pushed into the bush. In this clip, the pin includes a flange, a shank extending downward from the lower surface of the flange, an engagement pawl connected to the shank, and a coupling pawl disposed below the engagement pawl. The bush includes a ring portion and a leg portion composed of a plurality of legs divided by slits to extend vertically downward from the lower surface of the ring portion.
Further, in a molded state of the clip, the pin and the bush are connected with one another through a notched thin-walled portion formed between the lower end of the pin and the ring portion of the bush.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip comprising a bush and a pin adapted to be inserted into the bush, wherein the bush has a leg portion to be expanded in diameter so as to fasten a plurality of members together when the pin is pushed into the bush. In this clip, the pin includes a flange, a shank extending downward from the lower surface of the flange, an engagement pawl connected to the shank, and a coupling pawl disposed below the engagement pawl. The bush includes a ring portion and a leg portion composed of a plurality of legs divided by slits to extend vertically downward from the lower surface of the ring portion.
Further, the pin and the bush are assembled together such that the ring portion of the bush is held between the engagement pawl and the coupling pawl of the pin.
In the above clip, the ring portion of the bush may be formed with a prying slot for releasing the fastening function of the clip. In this case, when the fastening function is released, the ring portion of the bush is held between the engagement pawl and the coupling pawl of the pin.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming an integrally molded clip including a bush and a pin adapted to be inserted into the bush which has a leg portion to be expanded in diameter so as to fasten a plurality of members together when the pin is pushed into the bush, wherein the clip has a molded state where the pin and the bush are connected with one another through a notched thin-walled portion.
This method comprises the steps of: closing a molding-die set including a fixed die, a sliding die and a movable die, and injecting a molten resin into the molding-die set; opening the molding-die set; protruding an ejector to move the clip upward; and retracting the ejector to release the clip from the molding-die set.
The above method of forming the integrally molded clip may include the step of breaking the notched thin-walled portion in the molding-die set to separate the pin and the bush from one another.
Further, the method of forming the integrally molded clip may include the step of assembling the pin and the bush together in the molding-die set such that the ring portion of the bush is held between the engagement pawl and the coupling pawl of the pin.
In the present invention, the pin and bush are integrally molded in a single molding-die set.
Further, the pin and the bush are assembled together by pushing the pin into the bush in conjunction with the motion of releasing the clip from the molding-die set. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for assembling the pin and the bush together in a subsequent process after taking out them from the molding-die set.
With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
One end of the pin 10 is formed with a circular-plate-shaped flange 11. An approximately cylindrical shank 12 extends vertically downward from the lower surface of the flange 11. The shank 12 is formed with a lightening hole 15 immediately below the flange 11. The lightening hole 15 is provided to prevent a sink mark otherwise caused in the upper surface of the flange 11 (or to maintain a good appearance).
A single engagement pawl 13 extends downward from the outer surface of the shank 12 immediately below the flange 11.
The shank 12 is also formed with a pair of coupling pawls 14 disposed below the engagement pawl 13. The coupling pawls 14 are formed to extend upward from the base portion of the shank 12 at a relatively wide inner angle therebetween, and to have an adequate rigidity in a fastening position where the clip is attached to the plate members to fasten them. The distance between two ends of the coupling pawls 14 is larger than the inner diameter of the ring portion 21 of the bush 20. As described in detail later, in the assembled position, the coupling pawls 14 contact the lower surface of the ring portion 21 to prevent the separation between the pin 10 and the bush 20. Even when the clip is detached from the plate members after its long-term use, the coupling pawls 14 can be kept in contact with the lower surface of the ring portion 21 to prevent the separation between the pin 10 and the bush 20.
The shank 12 has a cylindrical contact surface 16 disposed below the coupling pawls 14.
The shank 12 also has an approximately cone-shaped inclined portion 17 disposed below the contact surface 16.
In this embodiment of the present invention, the clip includes the bush 20 having an upper portion formed as the approximately disk-shaped ring portion 21. The ring portion 21 is formed with an approximately circular hole at the center thereof. This hole has a diameter allowing the shank 12 to pass therethrough. As shown in
As shown in
The leg portion 23 of the bush extends vertically downward from the lower surface of the ring portion 21. The leg portion 23 is formed with four slits 25 dividing the leg portion into four legs, and adapted to be bent outward by the pin 10 and the bush engaged with one another in the fastening position. As shown in
The leg portion 23 has a lower end formed as a thick-walled region 24. As described in detail later, in the fastening position, the thick-walled region 24 is brought into contact with the contact surface 16 of the pin 10 and expanded in diameter to keep the clip in the fastening position.
As shown in
As shown in
With reference to
Alternatively, the process may skip the step 6 while maintaining the state where the pin 10 and bush 20 are connected with one another through the notched thin-walled portion 29, and advance to a step 7 of releasing the clip 8 from the molding-die set.
With reference to
As mentioned above, according to the present invention, the pin and the bush can be integrally molded in a single molding-die set.
In addition, the pin and the bush can be assembled together in the molding-die set to eliminate the need for assembling them in a subsequent process.
Kanie, Hideki, Matsudaira, Yoshimichi, Edamatsu, Kazuya
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10569457, | Sep 30 2011 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Two-part fastener |
11130267, | Sep 30 2011 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Two-part fastener |
7484919, | Jan 24 2006 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Fastener assembly |
7553116, | Mar 02 2005 | ITW De France | Fastener adapted to be fixed in a cavity of predetermined contour |
7736107, | Mar 30 2004 | Piolax, Inc. | Clipping device |
7862275, | Feb 13 2007 | Illinois Tool Works Inc | Fastening device |
7976056, | May 09 2007 | Illinois Tool Works Inc | Fastener clip and method of fabricating the same |
8348567, | Oct 12 2005 | ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG | Plastic rivet and assembly tool |
8865290, | Jan 12 2009 | Illinois Tool Works Inc | Fastening clip assembly |
8877113, | May 21 2012 | Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha | Method of molding clip mount and trim board |
9067347, | Dec 22 2010 | NABER BEHEER B V | Method for manufacturing a package |
9333554, | Nov 11 2011 | Illinois Tool Works Inc | Panel fastening rivet mechanism |
9695857, | Dec 19 2011 | TARIFOLD SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE | System enabling the attachment of an object to an element having attachment groove(s), and attachment device for such a system |
9919831, | Sep 07 2010 | Petro Pack AB | Package closure and a device and a method for producing a package closure |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
2542144, | |||
3013308, | |||
3918130, | |||
3957944, | Mar 30 1973 | GUALA S P A | Method of making closure device for cans and other containers |
4114509, | Jun 22 1977 | MEESPIERSON CAPITAL CORP , DELAWARE CORPORATION | Fastener plunger entry resistance means |
4122583, | Apr 23 1977 | Ford Motor Company | Fastening clips for trim panels particularly for motor vehicles |
4276806, | Jul 13 1978 | ITW De France | Self-retained and reusable fastener |
4375342, | Jan 14 1981 | ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC A CORPORATION OF DE | Two-piece plastic fastener |
4375825, | May 03 1977 | Integral valve apparatus | |
4405272, | Mar 11 1981 | ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC A CORPORATION OF DE | Two-piece fastener with front shoulder |
4571134, | Apr 06 1983 | ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC A CORPORATION OF DE | Two-piece plastic fastener and apparatus for molding same |
4602760, | Nov 28 1983 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE | Fuel line bundle clamp |
4637765, | Jul 18 1984 | Nifco Inc. | Two-piece expandable plastic rivet |
4674930, | Dec 14 1981 | MEESPIERSON CAPITAL CORP , DELAWARE CORPORATION | Stand-off fastener |
4687434, | Apr 06 1983 | ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC A CORPORATION OF DE | Apparatus for molding two-piece plastic fastener |
4747199, | Oct 18 1982 | Honeywell Inc. | Method of securing mating parts together |
4780037, | Jul 28 1986 | ITW Limited | Fastening assemblies |
4830556, | Jul 01 1987 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Plastic rivet having flexible drive pin |
4920618, | Dec 02 1987 | Nifco, Inc. | Fastening clip |
4927287, | Jun 28 1988 | Nifco, Inc. | Fastener for fastening plates together |
4952106, | Sep 29 1988 | Nifco, Inc. | Fastener having separate portions for engaging two panels to be secured together |
5163795, | Apr 09 1992 | Illionis Tool Works, Inc. | Front mounted rivet with interlocked drive pin |
5168604, | Nov 30 1990 | A. Raymond et Cie | Two-part fastening clip |
5200132, | Mar 31 1987 | Plastro Gvat | Method and an apparatus for producing a drip-irrigation emitter |
5370484, | Oct 29 1992 | NIFCO, Inc | Push rivet having unfastening means |
5375954, | Nov 19 1992 | Nifco Inc. | Clip fastener |
5507545, | Jul 05 1994 | TRW Inc. | Visor clip assembly and releasable fastener |
5560575, | Feb 21 1995 | TRW Inc. | Support and releasable fastener assembly |
5568675, | Mar 29 1994 | Nifco Inc. | Two-piece clip |
5592720, | Dec 06 1994 | Yazaki Corporation | Mounting clip |
5632581, | Jun 20 1994 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Clip |
5775860, | May 15 1997 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Plastic rivet having integral drive pin and body |
5829910, | Feb 28 1996 | Yazaki Corporation | Movable connecting construction |
5850676, | Mar 12 1997 | NIFCO INC | Clip with engaging mechanism |
6074144, | Jan 14 1999 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Fastener with retained movable pin |
6074150, | Feb 12 1998 | Piolax Inc | Part mounting structure |
6179539, | Sep 09 1999 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Locking clip with moveable collet |
6322305, | Apr 01 1999 | KARL SIMON GMBH & CO KG | Mounting element used in furniture building |
6350091, | Sep 05 2000 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Handle grommet assembly |
6364586, | Sep 02 1999 | Piolax Inc. | Multiple locking position clip with grommet and pin |
6481942, | May 29 2000 | NIFCO INC | Clip |
6514024, | Sep 07 2000 | Newfrey LLC | Clip having retention members |
6533515, | Jul 17 2001 | Illinois Tool Works Inc | Fastener having movable drive pin |
6665914, | Oct 29 2001 | Nifco Inc. | Clip |
6752576, | Sep 07 2001 | ITW Sverige AB | Dismountable clip, and a tool and method for producing the clip |
6769849, | Jun 12 2002 | Piolax Inc. | Two-piece clip |
20020026693, | |||
20030143053, | |||
20030194288, | |||
20040091334, | |||
20040175250, | |||
JP57135133, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Feb 17 2003 | KAINE, HIDEKI | Newfrey LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 015715 | /0867 | |
Feb 17 2003 | MATSUDAIRA, YOSHIMICHI | Newfrey LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 015715 | /0867 | |
Feb 18 2003 | EDAMATSU, KAZUYA | Newfrey LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 015715 | /0867 | |
Aug 19 2004 | Newfrey LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Sep 19 2006 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
Mar 12 2010 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Mar 12 2014 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Apr 23 2018 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
May 03 2018 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
May 03 2018 | M1556: 11.5 yr surcharge- late pmt w/in 6 mo, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Sep 12 2009 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Mar 12 2010 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 12 2010 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Sep 12 2012 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Sep 12 2013 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Mar 12 2014 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 12 2014 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Sep 12 2016 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Sep 12 2017 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Mar 12 2018 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 12 2018 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Sep 12 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |